By appointment
Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. <strong>The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor. </strong>
If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.
Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.
If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.
As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc
Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.
NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.
The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .
LGLA-1307-001 Introduction to Law and the Legal Professions
Prerequisite: RDNG 0331-minimum grade C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills
This course provides an overview of the law and the legal professions. Topics include legal concepts, systems and terminology; ethical obligations and regulations; professional trends and issues with particular emphasis on the paralegal.
Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website
Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:
Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:
Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me
You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Hybrid
Paralegal Today: The Legal Team at Work, 8th + LMS Integrated for MindTap® Paralegal
ISBN: 9780357484098
*The book an be either electronic or in print as I do not have a preference.
Textbook, with online Cengage Component
Computer access for assignments
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the Paralegal Studies program:
GROUND RULES
2. Although students should arrive on time and stay for the entire class period, special circumstances arise. If you arrive late or leave early, please do so as quietly as possible.
3. Disruptive behavior in the classroom will not be permitted.
4. Please keep cell phones and pagers turned off during class. If an exception to this policy is necessary, please talk to the instructor before class.
5. Students are responsible for the material in the reading assignments for tests, regardless of whether or not it is specifically discussed in lecture.
In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .
If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".
Use of Electronic Devices
Turn off your cell phone or put it on silent/vibrate ring during class meeting times. Remove and turn off any blue tooth device. No text-messaging will be allowed during class. Put away your iPods, MP3’s, any other device with recorded music, and the earphones to listen to the music. You will be asked to leave class if you are in violation of this request. You will be counted absent and you will not receive credit for that day’s attendance.
Plagiarism, Cheating and Individual Work Ethic
Amarillo College policies and Student Code of Conduct is strictly adhered to when dealing with plagiarism, cheating and duplication of work product. Any evidence of plagiarism, cheating or duplication of work product will result in a zero on the project or test in question.
PROJECT AND TESTING POLICY
The dates for material covered in general is below. Specific dates when projects are due and exams will be provided in class.
These dates are adhered to unless changes are announced in class.
Late Assignment Turn in Policy: NO LATE WORK IS ACCEPTED.
If you are assigned a group project and you do not participate in the project development or the group presentation, you will receive a grade “0” for the project.
If any changes are made, they will be announced in class and through AC online, so it is important you check AC Online regularly for updates. If you are not going to be present on the evening of a major test, you are required to contact me by e-mail at e0279327@actx.edu prior to the test or you will not be allowed to make up the test. If you contact me, we will make arrangements for a make-up exam.
Finally, you are responsible for material in your reading assignments for tests, regardless of whether or not it is specifically discussed in lecture. From time to time, supplemental readings and assignments may be made during class, and you are responsible for such readings and assignments even if you are absent.
TUTORING POLICY: IF A STUDENT MAKES A GRADE BELOW 70 ON ANY ASSIGNMENT OR EXAM, THAT STUDENT WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A MINIMUM OF 1 HOUR IN THE APPROPRIATE TUTORING CENTER OR APPROVED TUTORING RESOURCE WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF RECEIVING THAT GRADE.
GRADES
The final grade will be calculated as follows:
C is the minimum grade required for all Legal Studies majors
The final grade will be awarded as follows:
EASTER EGG opportunities - At times, an email will be sent to the class and there will be an opportunity for you to earn bonus points/extra credit points to be applied to your final exam. A maximum of 15 points per Easter Egg will be awarded, with a total maximum of 150 bonus points to be added to your final exam grade (per semester). In order to earn points, you must submit an email (e0279327@actx.edu) before the beginning of the next class, and you are given one opportunity per Easter Egg.
You are expected to be prepared for and promptly attend all scheduled class meetings. Should you miss a class, it is your responsibility to determine what you have missed and to take appropriate measures. I highly recommend that you get notes from someone in class for any class you must miss. It is your responsibility to initiate a drop or withdrawal through the Registrar's Office.If you stop attending class, but fail to officially withdraw from the course, you will receive a final grade of F.
Weather Closings
If Amarillo college classes are cancelled because of inclement weather, an official announcement will be made through all local television stations and KGNC radio. The message will also be posted on the college website (www.actx.edu) and the college’s main telephone number. The decision to close evening classes will be made by 3:00 p.m. If no announcement is made by that time, class will be held as normally scheduled.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact Accessibility Services (L101, Phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.
Week 1 | 08/19/2024 | First Day of Class Chapter 1. Today’s Professional Paralegal |
Week 2 | 08/26/204 | Chapter 2. Career Opportunities Chapter 3. The Inner Workings of a Law Office |
Week 3 | 09/02/2024 | Chapter 4. Ethics and Professional Responsibility |
Week 4 | 09/09/2024 | Chapter 5. Sources of American Law Chapter 6. Court System and Alternative Dispute Resolution |
Week 5 | 09/16/2024 | Chapter 7. Legal Research and Analysis Chapter 8. Online Legal Research |
Week 6 | 09/23/2024 | Chapter 9. Legal Writing: Form and Substance Chapter 11. Conducting Interviews and Investigations Memo Assignment |
Week 7 | 09/30/2024 | Chapter 10. Civil Litigation: Before the Trial Chapter 12. Trial Procedures |
Week 8 | 10/07/2024 | Chapter 13. Criminal Law and Procedures |
| 10/14/2024 | FALL BREAK |
Week 9 | 10/21/2024 | Chapter 14. Tort Law, Product Liability, and Consumer Law Chapter 15. Contracts and Intellectual Property Law |
Week 10 | 10/28/2024 | Legal Research and Drafting |
Week 11 | 11/04/2024 | Chapter 16. Real Property and Insurance Law Drafting Assignment |
Week 12 | 11/11/2024 | Chapter 17. Family Law and Estates |
Week 13 | 11/18/2024 | Chapter 18. Business Organizations and Employment Law Chapter 19. Bankruptcy and Environmental Law |
Week 14 | 11/25/2024 | Legal Research and Drafting |
Week 15 | 12/02/2024 | Court Observation Assignment DUE |
Week 16 | 12/09/2024 | Final Day of Class |
*Scheduled subject to changed based on class discussion and instructor guidance. | ||
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
First day of class August 19
Labor Day: September 2
Census Day September 4 (Administrative Drop for Non-Attendance) Fall Break Oct. 14-18A
Last Day to Withdraw October 1
Final Exams Week December 9-14
09/04/24 2:08 PM
09/06/24 10:48 AM